Depression affects the mind and body. Difficult to get out…
A mood disorder considered a real illness, depression goes beyond temporary “blues”. It can last for weeks, months or even years if left untreated. It manifests itself as persistent sadness, intense fatigue, difficulty feeling pleasure, sleep disturbances and/or changes in appetite. Left untreated, depression can go so far as to cause thoughts of death. Among its causes, biological factors, difficult life events, intense stress… and perhaps also medications as shown by a new Swedish study.
The study took place from 2018 to 2023 and included 806 patients who had a heart attack. Half received the medication, the other half did not. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed at 3 specific time points:
- just after hospitalization for heart attack
- between 6 and 10 weeks after the heart attack
- between 12 and 14 months after the heart attack
To measure depressive symptoms, researchers used a rating scale called HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), which gives one rating for anxiety and another for depression. They were able to see the evolution of symptoms and measure the effect of treatment by taking into account variables such as age, gender and medical history. “We found that the medications caused slightly higher depressive symptoms in patients who had had a heart attack” said Dr. Philip Leissner, doctoral student in cardiac psychology and lead author of the study published in the European Heart Journal. The drugs in question were beta blockers.
They are used mainly in cardiology because they slow down the contractions of the heart. It is the basic treatment for patients who have had a heart attack. They prevent heart failure, arrhythmia and hypertension. They are therefore particularly prescribed after the age of 50. The best known are: Corgard©, Trandate©, Artex©, Timacor© and Visken©.
“We found that some patients appear to be at greater risk of depression. If the medication has no effect on the heart, then they are taking it unnecessarily and risk becoming depressed.” warned Dr. Leissner. Given the controversy surrounding the initiation and discontinuation of beta-blockers after myocardial infarction, researchers believe that the potential risk of depressive symptoms “slightly increased” must be taken into account.